Together With

Transform your living space with Emcar Stone Studio — NWA's #1 provider for quartz, granite, marble, and quartzite countertops. As a trusted, family-owned business, we offer top-quality craftsmanship and an extensive selection. Request a free estimate today!

Events

Weekend Roundup

Happy first Friday of 2024, Northwest Arkansas! Here's a Weekend Roundup to help you find some fun things to do around town…

• 🤠 Do Ya Wanna Americana: Get into your Americana/country vibes at the Momentary as the RØDE House indoor concert series continues with Adeem the Artist, Dylan Earl, and Ashtyn Barbaree performing this Saturday, Jan 5, at 8p.

• 🛥️ Gon’ Fishing: Explore a wide range of boats and the latest outdoor gear during the NWA Boat & Outdoor Expo at the Rogers Convention Center from Thursday, Jan 4, through Sunday, Jan 7.

• 🎷 Let’s Jam: Kickstart the new year with a fun weekend at The Jones Center as FamJam Saturdays return, featuring Grammy Award-winning artists 123 Andrés this Saturday, Jan 6.

• 👑 The Crown: Kick off the 2024 Mardi Gras Season with a fun King's Day celebration at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs this Saturday, Jan 6, at 2p!

• 🛍️ On Record: Shop local goods, fresh produce, arts and crafts, and more at Downtown Bentonville’s indoor Market @ Record from 9a-12p.

• 🥕 Farm Fresh: Find fresh seasonal produce, locally made foods, artisan crafts, and more at the Fayetteville Farmers Winter Market, kicking off at the Fayetteville Senior Center this Saturday, Jan 6, from 9a-1p.

• 🏀 Calling The Shots: It’s going to be a fun weekend for Arkansas basketball at Bud Walton Arena as the men’s team hosts No. 25 Auburn this Saturday, Jan 6, at 1p, followed by the women’s team facing Georgia on Sunday, Jan 7, at 1p.

• 🚴 Take a Back Road: Connect with other cyclists and enjoy the beautiful Ozark landscape during Arkansas R3’s Pea Ridge Ramble this Sunday, Jan 7, at 10a.

• ☕️ Rev’d Up: Cruising the Ozarks will kick off its 8th year of monthly meetups with NWA Cars and Coffee in Rogers this Sunday, Jan 7, from 8-11a. 

• 🖼️ Digitized Memories: Learn how to preserve your family photo collection by digitizing photos at home during a workshop with Shiloh Museum’s Rachel Whitaker at the Fayetteville Public Library this Saturday, Jan 6, from 10-11a. 

Have a lovely weekend, NWA!

Transportation

An End Is Finally In Sight For The Wedington Drive Interchange Project

The I-49 Wedington project is on track for completion in 2024, easing congestion at one of Fayetteville’s most trafficked highway crossings.

• Making Space: Combining traffic from east and west, the overpass routinely sees 60,000 cars daily. The project will expand the bridge from five lanes to eight. In addition to improvements for drivers, the north side of the bridge will feature a 14-ft shared path, making a pedestrian-friendly crossing for walkers, joggers, and bikers.

• A Test of Patience: Including planning, this $37m project has been in the works since as early as 2014. After navigating several rounds of approvals and facing multiple setbacks due to utility infrastructure changes, an end to the project is finally in sight, with projections set for the fall of this year.

Hear comments from an ARDOT spokesperson on the project HERE.

Sponsored by Fossil Cove and Barley, Hops, & Water

The Return of the Yeti: Frost Fest Shares 2024 Breweries & Music Lineup

The list is out! Frost Fest Outdoor Beer Festival announced its 2024 lineup of breweries and performing artists set to appear at Washington County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Feb 3, from 2-7p.

• Chill Vibes: Presented by Fossil Cove Brewery and Barley, Hops, & Water, the festival showcases local breweries and supports local organizations with lots of craft beer, food trucks, vendors, live music, and artists. Proceeds from Frost Fest benefit local nonprofit partners: Apple Seeds, Arkansas Brewers Guild, Arkansas Climbers Coalition, Ozark Highlands Trail Association, and Pedal It Forward.

• Feeling Frosty: Frost Fest ticket holders will be given a keepsake-tasting glass to sample beer from over 55 local and regional breweries. Last year, Frost Fest saw a record turnout, and expects this year to surpass 2,500 attendees from across the region.

Find the list of participating breweries and music lineup HERE.

Economy

Northwest Arkansas Sales Tax Revenue Reveals Positive Trajectory

Northwest Arkansas experienced steady consumer and business spending in 2023 despite earlier recession concerns. Sales tax revenue for Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and Springdale combined reached $113.47m — a 10.5% increase from 2022.

• Surpassing Expectations: Bentonville reported double-digit growth every month last year, bringing in $28.836m, up an impressive 26.56% compared to 2022. Rogers exceeded revenue expectations, adding $29.046m to its coffers, an 8.08% increase. The city outperformed its revenue budget, creating a surplus of $4.146m.

• Slow & Steady: Fayetteville reported sales tax revenue of $31.762m, up 6% from the previous year. Springdale saw 3.31% growth, with total revenue reaching $23.824m.

Read more on the region’s positive economic trajectory HERE.

NWA Daily Picks

In other news

• 🏢 Living on the Ledge: The Ledger was featured in Fast Company's list of Buildings that Redefined Architecture in 2023. See what they said about it here.

• 🏔️ Mountain Town: Labeled “the Little Switzerland of America,” Eureka Springs got a shoutout on Travel Lemming as a top 50 destination for travel in 2024.

• 🚚 Moving Day: According to the U-Haul Growth Index, Arkansas was one of the most popular states for movers in 2023.

• ✈️ Take Off: If “travel more” made your New Year’s resolutions list, here's a list of XNA’s direct flights.

• 📅 Ditch the FOMO: Post your upcoming events on our Events Page, and stay in the know about upcoming events mentioned in the newsletter.

• 🥳 Join the Club: Our NWA Daily Fan Club keeps this thing going. In return for being awesome, they get access to exclusive giveaways — ranging from gift cards and concert tickets to bikes and kayaks!

• 🚀 Take Off: Share your message with our growing community of 35,300+ readers. We have several advertising opportunities to help you share your story with Northwest Arkansas.

*Content is sponsored.

Employment

Cool Jobs In NWA

Looking for a job? Find opportunities in the retail, health, education, arts, and more sectors listed on our Jobs Board.

Looking to hire? Post open jobs HERE.